Is there a need to promote an already wealthier realty sector which is worth multi- crores of rupees without focusing on job creation for the youth? The damaging effect of these smart cities on human and environment will be considerably huge. The wealthy builder’s impressive cluttered high rise creative display of the project model is to appease Government officials of which people are least aware of. We will be able to read on papers and view an artistic impression of the same. Attracted to our eyes, most of us will say “wow” how great Modi is? Our hearts will leap with joy, eyes wide opened with amazed. So the public is filled with happiness, which will be short lived. We need jobs for our youth. The Government is selecting wealthy builders who already have work force to execute the projects.
Airing “maan ki baat” by a leader indicates the concern towards the public, giving employment to the youth and encouragement to entrepreneurs is priority. We don’t need city within a city, existing cities are saturated with concrete structures and after few years they will possess shanty ghost look. No new construction is to be permitted in city and in surrounding areas. Give a facelift to the existing layout of the city and its structures. The smart city concept will work well on arid lands with additional growth of trees and plants, giving boost to green environment.
Decades back, people used to talk about visiting cities and one could see a benign smile on their faces, got quality things in abundance. They could freely walk to their destination, easy life and no complaints what so ever. The city houses and double storeys were well maintained and had that architectural charm, the gardens were beautiful and trees along the road side gave the required shade, cool and fresh atmosphere. Over the time, sale and demolition of old beautiful houses, gave way to multi-storey which came up rampantly with no proper planning, ruined the beauty, peace and the environment of the cities. Now one feel disgusted even to talk of going to cities, the tiny portion of land around city is remaining and some architectural value structures, let us preserve them and not to crumble under our feet and give way for concrete structures.
Ancestors were wise in planning and developing. We must opt for healthier environment. Instead of Government creating smart cities, plan and spend these money on people-friendly activities by making walking/jogging and cycling tracks starting from old Santa Cruz football ground along the road, the Rua de Ourem rivulet, upto Patto bridge with rest areas and beautifying along-side by planting mango trees and coconut tree where VP or Councils to manage and earn some income.
Extend it from Patto to Campal along the river bank, to Miramar upto Dona Paula. Give these stretches names, (Santa Cruz track, Rua de Ourem walk, Mandovi walk, Miramar Bay and Ocean View Dona Paula). Accordingly plan other cities i.e., Vasco, Margao and Mapusa. Please do not vandalize the remaining beauty of the cities with more influx, high rises, vehicles, heat, hustle and bustle, filth and garbage around us with polluted air to breathe.
